Gary Lee Buda

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Gary Lee Buda

Gary Lee Buda passed away on October 24, 2017 at the age of 65. He was the beloved husband of Jennifer Beach-Buda and a resident of Waukee, Iowa for 30 years.

Gary was born in Lubbock, Texas on January 7, 1952 to parents Norma Jean Brown Buda and Robert Otis Buda. Gary is predeceased by his father, Rober Otis Buda, and his brother, Dale Scott Buda.

He is survived by his son, Travers Kenton Buda, his daughter, Rosalind Beach Buda, his sister, Susan Buda Doyle, and his mother, Norma Brown Buda. Gary married Jennifer Katherine Beach on May 22, 1983.

Gary graduated from Hopkins High School, Hopkins, MN, in 1970, the University of Minnesota, with a BA in Economics, in 1974, and the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business with an MBA in Marketing in 1977.

In Minneapolis, Gary worked for 3M in Financial Planning, and for Gelco Corporation in Mergers and Acquisitions.

Gary moved with his family to the Des Moines area in 1987 where he worked for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate as Vice-President of Mergers and Acquisitions, and for Wells Fargo as a Technology Manager.

When Gary was in high school he had a part-time job at a nearby Perkins Restaurant and Bakery. Expecting to be assigned to busboy duties, Gary was surprised to get an “audition” as a line cook. It went well and Gary turned out quite a few meals as he earned money for college. He was the inventor of the original Perkins Farmer Omelet, in which he enveloped hash brown potatoes, along with the usual sausage, peppers and cheese, inside the fluffy omelet.

Gary continued to enjoy cooking, especially baking, into his 50’s and 60’s. He became quite an accomplished bread baker and was famous for his Monday morning treats, including Lemonade Cake, which he brought to work to share with his fellow employees at Wells Fargo.

Gary obtained his private pilot license and loved flying. He flew aerobatics in a Citabria and also enjoyed flying gliders.

Gary was a ham radio operator, call sign WA0NDN (third character is a zero). He enjoyed providing radio communications for events in Des Moines, including the American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb, The Des Moines Rowing Club’s Regatta, and the Des Moines Marathon.

Please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in Gary’s honor.

Chapel Hill Gardens

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